Highly respected leader within the global autism and research communities
Griffith University is a university committed to undertaking cutting edge research to address educational needs. In the field of learning difficulties, Griffith has a strong track record of successfully delivering pre-service and postgraduate education courses. The university also has an established reputation for quality teaching graduates in the field of special education, making it well placed to work with partners to address workforce needs in Autism education.
The Autism Centre of Excellence (ACE), has a mission to improve the quality of life for autistic children and adults by supporting learning - from early childhood to education and employment. This will be achieved by providing training to parents and professionals in multidisciplinary settings and by undertaking research to expand knowledge about autism and autism intervention. ACE is a collaborative initiative drawing on expertise from areas such as education, health and behavioural sciences. Our Centre is highly respected within the global autism community and recognised as leaders in the field and in evidence-based practice.
Autism Future Researchers Doctoral Training Program
Completing a thesis is only one step towards becoming a researcher or academic. The Autism Future Researchers Doctoral Training Program will provide high-quality PhD candidates with the opportunity to develop, practice and refine the skills to become the leading autism researchers of the future.
About the Autism Centre of Excellence
Our Centre
The strength of the Autism Centre of Excellence (ACE) lies in the calibre of staff, renowned nationally and internationally, and the expertise they bring to the Autism Centre of Excellence initiative. ACE works collaboratively with the state and federal government Education, Health and Communities portfolios.
Our experts
Our Centre provides professionals working across a variety of settings, with the knowledge and skills to improve the everyday lives of autistic people and their families. ACE seeks to support learning for autistic people across their lifespan and open doors of opportunity – from early childhood, to further education and employment.
Our research
Our research is informed by the research priorities set by the autistic and autism communities. Our research therefore focuses upon three key areas (1) enhancing community and professional knowledge of autism (2) understanding and supporting mental health and wellbeing in autistic individuals across the lifespan and (3) supporting autistic people to flourish and thrive in school and workplace settings and achieve their best academic and/or social outcomes.
Lead positive change by learning about autism
Develop your specialist knowledge and provide great support for autistic people through Australia’s first postgraduate multidisciplinary program dedicated to Autism. With expert academic research and guidance, and the input of autistic people and their supporters, you’ll gain (or deepen) your understanding of the diversity of autism (across different ages, abilities and profiles), evidence-supported strategies and supports, learning profiles and approaches, and the communicative message of behaviour. Our Graduate Certificate of Autism Studies can lead through to the Masters in Autism Studies course, which can lead on to becoming a Developmental Educator (see the DEAI website for information on accreditation). Developmental Educators are an NDIS approved profession for supporting individuals on the autism spectrum and their families to achieve their individual developmental, social and learning goals.
Autism Centre of Excellence staff
Professor Dawn Adams
Deputy Director, Autism Centre of Excellence
Dr Stephanie Malone
Senior Lecturer
Dr Nicole Dargue
Lecturer
Associate Professor Kate Simpson
Associate Professor in the Postgraduate Autism Studies Program
Emeritus Professor Deb Keen
Emeritus Professor, Autism Centre of Excellence
Emeritus Professor Jacqueline Roberts
Emeritus Professor, Autism Centre of Excellence
Research Spotlight
Anxiety is now recognised as the most commonly co-occurring condition for autistic children, with prevalence rates of clinically significant anxiety being 3-4 times higher in autistic children than children without autism. It is known that anxiety can impact on school engagement and academic performance for autistic children but research exploring anxiety and autism in the school context has to date, been very limited. With funding from Griffith University as well as the Department of Education and Training Educational Horizons grant scheme, Professor Dawn Adams and Professor Deb Keen are leading a program of research focusing upon anxiety and well-being in autism and how this may be identified within school settings. Keep an eye on the Facebook page for the findings as they are published.
Get in touch
Whether you're interested in partnering, studying or collaborating with us, or have a research or media enquiry
Video resources
- Autism and anxiety September 2020: What do we know and what works (video link)
- Autism and anxiety September 2020: What do we know and what works - Slides (PDF)
- Autism and anxiety: listening to and learning from parents of children with autism with Professor Dawn Adams - December 2018
- Autism and anxiety: an update - August 2018
- Autism and anxiety in the classroom
- Early Intervention with Adjunct Professor Pat Howlin
- Autism, Communication and Education with Professor Jacqui Roberts
- Research into evidence-based practices in autism with Professor Deb Keen
- Depression and Low Mood (Dr Jacqui Rodgers, UK) and Hearing the Child’s voice in research (Dr Kate Simpson, ACE)
Parent workshops
- Communication and Autism - Professor Jacqueline Roberts
- Early reading development in children on the spectrum - Assoc. Prof. Marleen Westerveld
- Supporting your child's communication across the life span - Prof. Jacqueline Roberts
- Exploring sensory differences in autism - Dr Kate Simpson
- Navigating the maze of autism practices - Dr Jessica Paynter
- Autism, anxiety and intolerance of uncertainty - Prof. Dawn Adams
- Q & A Session
School workshops
- Making schools 'user friendly' for students with autism - Prof. Jacqueline Roberts
- Exploring sensory differences in autism - Dr Kate Simpson
- Communication changes over time for students on the autism spectrum - Assoc. Prof. David Trembath
- Early reading development in children on the spectrum - Assoc. Prof. Marleen Westerveld
- Finding and sharing evidence-based practices - Dr Jessica Paynter
- Autism, Anxiety and the intolerance of anxiety - Prof. Dawn Adams
- Q & A Session
Assistance for parents and carers
As our Centre does not provide direct services, we are therefore not capable of providing advice on or assistance with the services that are available locally or elsewhere. If you require access to services or advice, please refer to:
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